Thursday, 17 July 2014

Reps summon Jega over permanent voter cards

The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, over alleged haphazard distribution of the permanent voter cards in some states of the federation.

Jega is also expected to explain the modalities for the distribution of the cards in all other states of the federation before the 2015 elections.

This resolution followed a motion by Rep. Yakubu Balogun (APC-Lagos) which was adopted without debate.

Balogun said INEC had not replaced all the temporary voter cards with permanent cards in some states where the distribution was currently going on.

He noted that the haphazard distribution of permanent voter cards might lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

The legislator alleged that eligible voters, who requested for replacement of their permanent voter cards from INEC, were told by that it was not ready for the exercise.

He said that part of the responsibilities of INEC was to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections as well as provision of voter cards to eligible Nigerians.

Balogun said that INEC succeeded in providing temporary voter cards used and widely accepted for the conduct of the 2011 general elections in Nigeria.

He said that INEC had directed that holders of temporary voter cards would not be allowed to vote in subsequent elections in Nigeria.

The matter was referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

Nigeria’s main opposition party, APC, has voiced concern and fear over INEC’s handling of permanent voter cards. It said the party denied its voters the opportunity to get their voter cards.